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Home Page Stories, 2013

Hamilton City Civic Award for William Lynn

The annual Hamilton City Civic Awards are presented for outstanding
community service. William Lynn was one of the winners of the 2013 award for
his work in chess: 15 years acting President of the Hamilton Chess Club from
1982, and then 13 years Secretary/Treasurer from 1997, and 15 years promoting
Junior Chess in the Waikato. Pictured: William with his wife Eva.

FM Mark Noble features in the 2014
Para-Sport Nominations. The nominated players will play Australia in the
Trans-Tasman Trophy competition in March, while also being nominated to the New
Zealand Olympic Committee for selection to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in
July. Mark is 'Skip' in the Para Open Triples, with team-mates Linda Bennett
(Lead) and Barry Wynks (Second).

Chess Scholarship for NZ Junior

Kiwi abroad in Adelaide, Qi Le Kong-Lim, won the Richard Thorne Chess Scholarship to study
in year 10 (Australian) next year at Prince Alfred College. Qi Le learned chess
in Auckland, and since moving overseas he has continued to receive his chess
coaching online from New Zealand. He was the South Australian state junior
chess champion last year.

Gold medals for NZ Juniors!

Not in chess (yet) but in karate, at the 7th Commonwealth Karate Championships in
Montreal, Canada, in October. Pictured left is Winston Yao of North Shore CC,
who collected a gold medal (Kata Individual male youth Black Belt) and also a
bronze (Kumite Individual male Youth +48kg Black Belt). Another gold medal was
won by Daniel Gong (pictured right) of Howick-Pakuranga CC (Kumite Individual
male children -35kg Brown Black). Congratulations to both!

NZ National Chess Centre - Game On!

After a much-publicised 10-month sale procedure, New Zealand Grandmaster Murray
Chandler has succeeded in purchasing the former Presbyterian Church site in
Devonport. Settlement occurred on September 30th, and preparations are now
underway for chess classes to begin in early 2014. The landmark site is located
directly en route to Devonport village, and comprises three venues. It is
anticipated that the Upper Hall (adjacent to the Church) will be devoted
exclusively to chess. The Lower Hall and the Church will operate as venues for
hire, and will be potentially available as chess tournament venues. Information
about non-chess activities can be viewed at
www.devonportstpauls.co.nz.

Interschools Finals

The New Zealand National Interschools Finals took place in Mount Maunganui over the weekend
21-22 September, once again ably organised by Bob and Viv Smith and members of
the Mount Maunganui RSA Chess Club. Gold medals went to Westlake Boys High
(Secondary; pictured), Auckland Normal (Intermediate) and Hillsborough
(Primary).
See our Results page for full results.

International events

First, a reminder to Juniors to get their applications in for the World Junior (Turkey, 12-27
September) and the World Youth (UAE, 17-29 December).
And second, a call for
anyone interested in taking part in the Asian Cities Team Championship,
Tagaytay City, the Philippines, 19-27 October. We need to decide before 1st
September whether we will send a team or not.
See our Calendar page for more information about all the
tournaments.

Celebrations at Waitakere CC

There were double celebrations for Waitakere CC at the Trusts Open on Queen's Birthday
Weekend. To celebrate the 50th year of the club, a large chocolate cake was
shared among the players. Shown cutting it are (right) Linda Cooper, President
of the Waitakere Licensing Trust, and (left) wfm Viv Smith, who received the
New Zealand Order of Merit for services to chess in the Queen's Birthday Honour
List. Congratulations all round!
See our Results page for more information about the tournament.

NZ Chess Academy™ open for new registrations

After the successful launch of the academy in February this year,
there will be a 2nd intake of new students. The 2nd squad will meet on the
North Shore of Auckland on Tuesday evenings. There are 12 places available.
These places will be filled on a first-in first-served basis and based on the
1st intake, places will fill quickly! The training program on offer is a
year-long commitment and may not be suited for everyone. Registrations will
close Friday 24 May 2013.
See www.chesspower.co.nz/nzca.html
to register your interest online.

Oceania Seniors Championships in Canterbury

Thanks to the sponsors, Dancing Water Winery and Benson Insurance
Brokers, the international Oceania event went ahead in Christchurch
(with only one very small earthquake to distract the players). Pictured, left
to right: Paul Glissan, Helen Milligan (seated), Nigel Cooper, Roy Keeling,
Arie Nijman, Tony Booth (at the back), Viv Smith, David Lovejoy, and Bruce
Dellaca. The Oceania titles went to David Lovejoy (Open) and Helen Milligan
(Women's) but the biggest trophy was for NZ Seniors Champion, Arie
Nijman.
See our Results page for more details.

Chess champ wins inaugural Hawke's Bay tournament

Former New Zealand champion Bob Smith of Mount Maunganui took
top honours at the inaugural Hawke's Bay Rapid chess championship in Napier. He
also won a bottle of Vidals Reserve Syrah for the best game. Aucklander Tony
Carpinter and Mark Noble from Palmerston North shared second. Noble is a
Grandmaster at correspondence chess. Fourth prize was shared by New Zealand
Chess Federation president Paul Spiller from Auckland and Hamilton's Michael
Freeman, who is also a top correspondence player.
See our Results page for more details.

New Zealand Champion Scott Wastney

The 120th New Zealand Congress was held in Wellington, and sponsored by New Zealand Chess
Supplies. The winner, with the remarkable score of 10/11, was local FM Scott
Wastney. Equal second were FM Bob Smith and FM Ewen Green, with 7½. The
famous Silver Rook (pictured left) was unable to attend the prize-giving - it
is feeling its age, and will be kept safe in a custom-made perspex-fronted box,
in a suitable location (to be decided). The Major Open was won by young
Australian visitor Max Chew Lee - who also has NZ citizenship, and is therefore
eligible to take up his place in the Championship next year.
See our Results page for more details.

New Rapid Tournament in Hawke's Bay

A new Rapid tournament joins the Myer Tan Grand Prix series for 2013. The Hawke's Bay
Rapid will be staged in Napier on Saturday 2nd March as a Class One event. It
is being organised by the Hawke's Bay Chess Club Inc, a new entity which has
developed from the former Napier and Hastings Havelock North Chess Clubs. Since
Hawke's Bay is renowned for its fine wine production and Art Deco culture, the
prize-winners in both the Open and Under-1800 tournaments will each receive a
bottle of gold-medal-winning Hawke's Bay wine, organised Art Deco activities
for players' partners and families will be available, and there will be a spot
prize of another bottle of wine for the best Art Deco dress-up.
See our Calendar Page for more information.